Filling out the W-8BEN form – MAKE

What is this form? The W-8BEN is a US tax form that certifies you are an individual based outside the United States.

This form is for you if: you are a real person (not a company) and you are not a US citizen or US resident.

Part I: Your Basic Information

Line 1: Your full legal name. As it appears on your passport or official ID.

Line 2: Country of citizenship. The country of your passport. If you hold dual citizenship, enter the country you consider your primary citizenship.

Line 3: Permanent residence address. Your real home address: street, city, postal code, and country. No PO boxes.

Line 4: Mailing address. Only fill this in if your mailing address is different from Line 3. Otherwise leave blank.

Line 5: US taxpayer identification number. Leave blank. You don't have a US tax number and you don't need one.

Line 6a: Foreign tax identifying number. Your local tax identification number: national ID number, tax reference number, or equivalent in your country. Fill this in if your country issues one.

Line 6b: Check if FTIN not legally required. Only check this box if your country genuinely does not issue tax identification numbers. This is rare.

Line 7: Reference number. Leave blank.

Line 8: Date of birth. Enter in MM-DD-YYYY format. Example: January 15, 1990 becomes 01-15-1990.

Part II: Tax Treaty Benefit (optional)

Skip this section if you don't receive income from US companies (dividends, interest, or royalties).

If you do receive US-sourced income and your country has a tax treaty with the US, filling this section can reduce your withholding rate below the default 30%.

Line 9: your country of tax residence.

Line 10: the specific article of the treaty, the reduced rate, and the type of income. Your accountant can confirm the exact article number.

Countries with no tax treaty with the US, skip Part II entirely: Brazil, UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cayman Islands, BVI. The 30% default rate applies.

Part III: Signature

Sign the form, print your full name below, and add the date in MM-DD-YYYY format.

By signing, you certify under penalty of perjury that you are not a US person and that all information provided is accurate.

Summary checklist

Line 1: full legal name
Line 2: country of citizenship
Line 3: home address
Line 6a: your local tax number
Line 8: date of birth
Part II: only if you receive US-sourced income and your country has a US tax treaty
Part III: signed, name printed, dated

Everything else stays blank.

FAQ

What's the difference between this form and the W-8BEN-E? The W-8BEN is for individuals only. If you are registering as a business entity, you need the W-8BEN-E instead.

Do I need a US tax number? No. Leave Line 5 blank unless you have one for a specific reason.

I'm not sure if I should fill this or the W-8BEN-E. Simple rule: if you are registering as an individual, use the W-8BEN. If you are registering as a company, use the W-8BEN-E.

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